Kerala Tourism Watch, Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF), Socialist Unity Center of India, (SUCI), Solidarity Youth Movement, Pedestrian Pictures and National Alliance of Anti-Nuclear Movements (NAAM)in a Press Release demanded the immediate closure of The Koodamkulam Nuclear Power Plant (India)considering the danger it poses to people in the Southern districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The statement draws attention to the peoples' ressistance in India against Nuclear Plants.

Press Release

March 23, 2011

We would like to express our great concern and deep anxiety about the deadly radioactive explosion that has happened at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan (some 150 miles north of Tokyo). Both online and television images of the thick white smoke hovering over the exploded nuclear power plant have come to haunt the world public opinion. The Japanese authorities have extended the evacuation zone to 20 kms. Thre are reports that people even beyond the 20 km radius are fleeing to save the lives of their own and their near and dear ones.

The dangerous explosion is said to have blown the roof off the reactor building, brought down walls and caused a very heavy radiation leak. Even after the plant’s chain reaction was stopped, the fuel rods continue to produce heat and must be cooled in order to avoid the meltdown of the fuel. The plant needs a continuous supply of electricity to run the water pumps and the instruments. Since the emergency diesel generators at the Daiichi plant failed, pressure mounted in the reactor, the normal cooling function stopped and resulted in the explosion.

As the world is gearing up to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the deadly nuclear power plant accident at Chernobyl on April 26, 2011, another calamity has stuck the humanity. Chernobyl accident released 1000 times more radiation than Hiroshima bomb and the effects of radiation reached up to Holland. It is understood today that the nuclear disaster in Japan is close to the scale of Chernobyl. Hence, we should be informed about the ways in which radiation can reach our own home lands.

The Fukushima accident establishes that nobody can assure us total safety with regards to nuclear power technology. If Fukushima radiation can end up in Sacramento, California, Kerala will not be spared.

While the nuclear power is getting promoted in a major way in India the resistance to the plants are also grooming in many parts. Kerala is the only state which has stopped two nuclear power plants with public protests. However, it is important to realize that the Koodamkulam nuclear power plant which is very close to Kerala is also a big threat to Kerala, especially to southern Kerala. Recently Dr. A. N. Prasad, an important nuclear department official, has given an interview to rediff.com that mega nuclear power plants are not safe.

One immediate effect could be the torurism industry. They are building two 1000 MW Russian nuclear power plants there and are going to add four more. The sham public hearing took place on June 2, 2007. With six 1000 MW nuclear power plants, a reprocessing plant, dangerous nuclear waste, and a weapons facility (just because Koodankulam is far away from Pakistan and China), we can be sure that tourism will dwindle gradually. The sea water is going to be contaminated; fish is going to be contaminated; the air, food, water and everything will be polluted. Both Indian and foreign tourists will avoid our sea and sea food. Even if these accidents and attacks do not happen, the daily intake of radionuclides and low-level radiation will do enough damage to our people in Trivandrum, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alleppey districts. Tourism Department in Kerala will have to redefine the slogan of Kerala from `God’s Own Country’ to `Devil’s own country’.

In the light of the above situation, we demand that the Koodankulam nuclear power plant be shut down immediately. Common sense would instruct us not to tread this path of Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima but generate energy from safe and sustainable sources.

Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF)
SUCI
Solidarity Youth Movement
Pedestrian Pictures
Kerala Tourism Watch
National Alliance of Anti-Nuclear Movements (NAAM)

Contact : T. Peter, President, KSMTF (0944742943)